In today’s fast moving technological world, the evolving advances of digital cinematography are moving at extraordinary rate. While camera sensors are already in the 8K resolution range, the demand for lenses with a unique character is increasing. Many cinematographers don’t want the clinical look of today's optics, as they want a more classic look. The Xenon Full Frame Prime Lenses from Schneider-Kreuznach prove that you can’t just rely on older or rehoused photo lenses, especially in full-frame format. The lenses are purpose-built for CINE applications and offer resolution to match the latest cameras, but have a classic filmic look.

Let’s take a look at Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon Full Frame Primes as well as Xenon’s Cine-Tilt options to add to your workflow. Designed specifically for all types of cinema and mirrorless cameras (like ARRI, RED, Canon, Sony and Blackmagic to name a few), the Xenon FF-Prime lenses offer a full set of matched professional primes built to last through generations of changing camera technology. These compact lenses provide full frame coverage with interchangeable mounts in either PL, Canon EF, Sony E and Nikon F.

The biggest challenge in developing the Xenon Full Frame Primes was to maintain this unique visual character and consistent colors across all focal lengths (18mm, 25mm, 35mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm). In addition, Schneider-Kreuznach wanted to meet the users‘ expectations of a true CINE lens. For this reason, they decided to design the lenses from scratch and not use existing optical and mechanical designs from still photography.

Since the FF-Primes share the same external dimensions, gear location, and similar weights, it assures easy compatibility with an array of cameras and accessories, and makes for quick lens changes. The relatively uniform weight of the lenses greatly simplifies setting counterbalance on both tripod heads and specialty camera support equipment like Steadicam and MoVI stabilizers.

The Xenon FF-Prime family includes the following:

You can check out the full line of Xenon FF-Prime lenses here.

Xenon FF-Prime Cine-Tilt Lenses

Along with the line of Xenon FF-primes, Schneider-Kreuznach has also developedCine-Tilt lenses to add to the FF-Prime family! These lenses offer the potential to utilize out-of-focus areas in the frame, especially when tilt is used with large apertures. By sustaining the field of view during focus and tilt actions, the Cine-Tilt design makes possible previously unimaginable images from the freely moving and tilting focus planes.

Here are the Xenon FF-Prime Cine-Tilt lenses:

  • FF Prime Cine-Tilt 2.1 / 25MM
  • FF Prime Cine-Tilt 2.1 / 35MM
  • FF Prime Cine-Tilt 2.1 / 50MM
  • FF Prime Cine-Tilt 2.1 / 75MM
  • FF Prime Cine-Tilt 2.1 / 100MM

You can check out the full Cine-Tilt line here

The goal was to achieve a detailed image in the focus plane, but also to obtain a more classic image. The Xenon Full Frame Prime series differs significantly in its behavior from other optics in its class, with a look and feel that’s loved by filmmakers worldwide.

“I’ve fallen in love with the skin tones that the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenons produce. The out of focus areas fall off beautifully, while our models where sharp but rendered gracefully."

  • Dale Campbell, Director of Photography

“When shooting with Xenon FFPs, the image I get from my full frame sensor cameras is stunning, a creamy soft cinematic look with pin sharp detail on the focus points, beautiful bokeh and virtually no focus breathing.”

  • Alan Stockdale, Award-winning Cinematographer

“The Schneider Xenon-FF Primes are my go to lenses when shooting with my Red Weapon camera package. Their full frame coverage allows me to shoot the full Red sensor at every focal length without vignetting, and their uniform size and weight make them ideal for handheld and gimbal work. I love that these lenses produce such a clean and sharp image that I can further manipulate through filtration and color grading.”

  • Thomas Wallis, Director of Photography
Xenon lens seriesprime lensCine-TiltXenon FF-Prime Lens Family
Cinematography & Cameras